Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane and Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Mark Green have initiated an external review of the Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) (VPTL) portfolio, including its relationship to the work of the Centre for Teaching and Learning and other units, prior to the appointment later this year of a new VPTL. 

The members of the review team are: Simon Bates, Associate Provost, Teaching and Learning, University of British Columbia; John Doerksen, acting Provost and Vice-President (Academic), Western University; and Arig al Shaibah, Associate Vice-President, Equity and Inclusion, McMaster University. They will consider a self-study report, background documents, and input from members of the community; meet with key stakeholders; and submit a report to the principal and provost. The reviewers’ report and recommendations will then be circulated to the university community.

The reviewers will consider the breadth and scope of practice of the teaching and learning portfolio; the resources and structures that support it; its relationship to other units; and how it should reflect the university’s Strategic Framework, commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, and indigeneity, and the Declaration of Commitment to Address Systemic Racism.

In their report the reviewers will assess the challenges and opportunities facing teaching and learning at Queen’s and make recommendations concerning future growth and development; the scope, focus and priorities of the portfolio; and the skills and experience of the ideal VPTL.

“The teaching and learning portfolio is central to the work of the university, and the VPTL’s office is an important focus for setting and meeting the university’s goals and priorities,” Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic) Mark Green says. “In recognition of the importance of the VPTL role to the university, we have launched a full-scale review to ensure that the office of the VPTL provides the necessary support to pedagogy and learning across the campus. We invite interested members of the community to contribute to the review.”

Members of the community are invited to comment on the strengths of and opportunities in the teaching and learning portfolio by sending an email to provost@queensu.ca by 8 am on Monday, Feb. 14, 2022. Responses will be shared in confidence with the reviewers unless respondents indicate that their comments are intended only for the Office of the Provost.

The Terms of Reference for the review can be found on the Provost’s webpage.